In 1492 when Christopher Columbus discovered Cuba he described it as 'the most beautiful land on earth'. Cuba offers a unique cultural experience with its blend of African and Spanish influences, laid-back charm and 50 years of socialism. Experience the dilapidated colonial grandeur of Old Havana, the lively nightlife of Santiago and the restored splendour of Trinidad, whilst taking time out to relax in Baracoa, a lively coastal town surrounded by rainforest and lush cocoa plantations. In the steep, jungle covered mountains of the Sierra Maestra we learn about the island's fascinating revolutionary past.

Itinerary

Show detailed itinerary

1Day 1Start Havana.

The group flight arrives in the afternoon and we transfer to our hotel. Land only clients will meet the group at the start hotel in Havana.See more images and videos

This morning we have a panoramic tour of Old Havana including the Capitolio building and Revolution Square. We then drive to Santa Clara, the site of the last battle of the Cuban Revolution. In December 1958 Che Guevara and his troops ambushed an armoured train carrying arms to Santiago de Cuba and this was a major turning point in the Revolution. We visit the train museum and the Mausoleum of Che Guevara and his comrades who died in Bolivia. The museum attached to the Mausoleum has many of his former belongings and is a fascinating insight into one of the 20th Centuries most revered icons. Our final destination today is Sancti Spiritus where we check into our hotel for the night.

Today is another long driving day as we head to Bayamo in the south of the island. We pass through agricultural towns and sugar cane plantations, learning about the importance of sugar in Cuba's history. We stop for lunch in Camaguey, Cuba's fourth largest city, to break up the journey. See more images and videos

4Day 4To Baracoa; beach stop en route on south coast.

After breakfast we leave Bayamo and drive east, passing Guantanamo and stopping for a swim on the south coast before continuing to our destination of Baracoa. Founded in 1512, Baracoa was the first Spanish settlement in Cuba and served as the capital for three years. It's location on the easternmost tip of the island left it open to attacks from pirates, smugglers and the English, so three forts were constructed in the 18th Century for protection. Baracoa has only been accessible by road since the 1960s and this has left it largely off the tourist route. Surrounding the quaint town are lush, tropical mountains and golden sand beaches. This area is renowned for cocoa growing and chocolate production. The Malecon on the northeast side of the town is known as the Caribbean's first ocean drive. There is still a strong Indian influence here and the El Yunque Mountain, (the anvil shaped mountain described by Christopher Columbus in his diaries) used to be the site of various aboriginal communities. We arrive in the late afternoon and spend some time exploring before checking into our hotel. See more images and videos

This morning we take a boat trip on the River Toa followed by a walk through a Biosphere Reserve to learn about the importance of cocoa production in the area. The afternoon is free to explore the town of Baracoa or visit the beach. If you'd prefer a tougher walk, there is an optional trek to explore El Yunque mountain that will fill the whole day.

After breakfast we depart Baracoa for Santiago de Cuba, which is known as the 'city of heroes' for the important role it played in Independence and Revolutionary struggles. Santiago rivals Havana in literature, music and politics, and is rich in traditions, folklore and legends making almost every street corner in the city famous. See more images and videos

7Day 7Explore Santiago; visit El Morro Castle and Moncada Barracks.

This morning we explore Santiago de Cuba, visiting the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, Revolution Square, El Morro Castle and Moncada Barracks - where the opening shots of the Revolution were fired on 26 July 1953, when Castro and his men attacked the barracks. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city yourself.See more images and videos

8Day 8To the Sierra Maestra mountains.

Leaving the city behind we drive towards the green mountains of the Sierra Maestra, stopping to visit El Cobre, the most sacred pilgrimage site in Cuba. Our first choice is to stay in a hotel in the Sierra Maestra, however due to the popularity of the area we may stay in Bayamo, a charming colonial city with a recently renovated boulevard where the locals love to congregate in the evenings. See more images and videos

9Day 9Walk to Castro's revolutionary headquarters; to Camaguey.

We spend this morning in the Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra, a spectacular national park within Cuba's highest mountain range. This region is well known as Fidel Castro's base of operations during the Cuban Revolutionary War. High in the Sierra is Comandancia La Plata, the secret mountain hideout of Castro and Che Guevara.
After lunch we continue to Camaguey where we'll spend the night. After almost continuous attacks from pirates the original city (founded as Santa Maria del Puerto del Principe around 1515 on the northern coast) was moved inland in 1528. The new city was built with a confusing lay-out of winding alleys that made it easier to defend from raiders.See more images and videos

10Day 10Camaguey sightseeing; city tour of Trinidad.

This morning there will be time to explore this historic city, characterised more recently by 'tinajones' - large, earthen jugs found in the squares, churches and gardens that were originally used to store water during drought periods. We then continue to Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 and perhaps the best-preserved colonial town on the island. Exploring Trinidad is like stepping back in time, the cobbled streets and horse drawn transportation takes you back to colonial times. There are many interesting museums housed in old colonial buildings to visit in the daytime, but it is as the sun sets that Trinidad really comes alive. This evening we recommend a visit to Casa de la Trova or Casa de la Musica for traditional Cuban music and dancing!See more images and videos

11Day 11Free day or optional catamaran trip.

Today is free to continue your exploration of Trinidad and its surroundings or simply spend the day relaxing. For those who wish to venture a little further afield an optional catamaran trip is available. Embarking from the beach at Playa Ancon the full day trip heads out into the Caribbean Sea to the small islands of Cayo Macho or Cayo Blanco (depending on availability) where you will have a fresh seafood lunch and spend time on the beach, hopefully spotting some of the tame iguanas that roam around.See more images and videos

After breakfast we set off for El Cubano Nature Park, a reserve nestled in countryside on the outskirts of Trinidad. We'll walk through tropical forest to reach a waterfall where we can stop to take a refreshing dip. We then carry on to colonial Cienfuegos where we have a city tour of the main plazas and spend the night.See more images and videos

13Day 13Visit Bay of Pigs; to Havana.

Today we visit the Bay of Pigs, site of the attempted US invasion in 1961 and drive through the Zapata Peninsula back to Havana. We visit the museum at Playa Giron and stop for lunch and to swim at Caleta Buena, a protected cove that is great for snorkelling. On arrival in Havana we have a short walking tour of Old Havana's plazas before checking into our hotel. See more images and videos

14Day 14Free day in Havana.

Today is free for you to explore Havana or take an optional day trip to Vinales. The Vinales Valley is filled with palm trees and tobacco farms, traditional farming methods are still used amid some of the most impressive scenery in Cuba. Huge limestone karsts (sheer-sided, flat-topped hills) rise from the valley floor, riddled with caves and covered in forest. In the evening there is an optional trip to the famous Tropicana Nightclub in Havana.

This morning you have free time to enjoy Havana, Cuba's capital and the largest city in the Caribbean. This is a busy and bustling, energetic capital. Old Havana is often described as a living museum with its marvellous monuments, cathedrals and palaces. It is the finest surviving Spanish colonial complex in the Americas, preserved by a combination of minimal war damage, post Revolution restoration work and the millions of dollars invested since it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. We meet to have lunch and a Mojito cocktail (included) in one of Hemingway's old haunts, La Bodeguita del Medio. Those on group flights will be transferred back to the airport this afternoon.

Your images

Guided Group

The group is usually between 5 and 18 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You are reasonably fit, enjoy the outdoors and are looking for some exercise. Some previous experience is preferable for activity based trips.

What's included

What's included

All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 dinner

All accommodation (see below)

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

Arrival & departure transfers

What's not included

Travel insurance

Single accommodation (available on request) - GBP200

Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation details

Hotels and Homestays

You will spend 12 nights in comfortable hotels and 2 nights in privately-run B&B style 'Casas Particulares'. We use hotels ranging from 3 star to simpler, rural hotels. Rooms are on a twin-share basis, with air conditioning and attached bathroom. Some of the hotels have swimming pools. Power cuts do occasionally occur, and hot water supplies are not always guaranteed. Please note that this kind of tourism is in its infancy in Cuba and there are occasionally some last-minute changes to the accommodation mentioned in the day-to-day itinerary. However, if a different hotel is used we endeavour to ensure it is of the same standard and in a similar location.

Casas Particulares - All of our Cuban itineraries include staying in privately-run 'Casas Particulares' for two nights as an alternative to staying in a standard hotel whilst in the town of Trinidad. These are traditional Cuban properties that enable you to have a rewarding insight into the local lifestyle and culture by staying as a guest in a family home. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, hot and cold water, either a fan or air conditioning, and breakfast is made for you in the morning. The houses that we use will be on the same street whenever possible, and we will make sure that those in single room accommodation are always within a house where other Exodus clients are staying.

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
British and most Western European passport holders do not require a visa but do require a tourist card. Your Cuban tourist card (valid for 30 days) is included and will be posted to you by Exodus approx. 6 weeks before travel. We will send instructions on how to fill it in but please be careful doing this as any mistakes may result in you having to purchase a new card at a cost of GBP15.00 per person.
We will send a tourist card free of charge as long as you live at a UK or Ireland address and are national of an EU country, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Japan. If you are not national of one of these countries or are not resident in the UK or Eire you must contact your nearest Cuban Consulate to check what visa is required - Exodus cannot provide a tourist card for you.
The Cuban entry immigration is time consuming and most visitors encounter delays when queuing for entry into the country.
The Cuban Government passed a law stating that all tourists visiting Cuba must have travel insurance to cover medical costs. You are likely to be asked to provide proof of your travel insurance policy when you arrive at Havana airport, so please ensure your documents are easily accessible.
Whilst we hope that things will change in the near future, due to present US policy, we cannot take US citizens on our trips to Cuba.
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Tetanus, Hepatitis A. We are advised that there is no risk of malaria. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Holiday style

This is a busy itinerary as we cover the full length of the island, but we do so in the comfort of a private air-conditioned coach. There are some long journeys, the longest being on Day 3 (approx. 8 hours) and Day 4 (approx. 5 hours). The driving is broken up as much as possible with rest stops, and there are several two-night stays with free time built in to relax. The aim of the trip is to show you as much of the island as possible so some driving is inevitable, particularly as we don't agree with using internal flights in Cuba (for more information, please visit: http://www.exodus.co.uk/cuba-holidays/internal-flights-within-cuba)

Cuba is an increasingly popular tourist destination and unfortunately the number of hotel rooms is not increasing at the same rate. In peak season, hotels occasionally cancel bookings at the last minute and will then find alternative accommodation for the group. In extreme cases bookings may be transferred to hotels in nearby towns or to Casa Particulares (private houses that offer a Bed and Breakfast service). This overbooking is affecting all tour operators to the country and you need to be aware that it may affect your trip. In the event of such a change we will endeavour to ensure a property of the same standard is used to minimise disruption.

If you require a single room then we encourage you to book early in order to avoid disappointment. It is not possible for us to change twin-share rooms for single rooms once you have arrived in Cuba.

Eating & drinking

Cuba is not renowned for its culinary excellence and some ingredients are just not possible to get hold of (due in no small part to the long trade embargo implemented by the US). As such, flavours tend to be relatively simple, with most mealtimes consisting of meat or fish accompanied by rice and salad/vegetables. Seafood is widely available on the coast, including cheap and abundant lobster! Vegetarians will probably find they have the most limited choice. Snack food is not freely available in Cuba so you may wish to consider taking some with you.

Paladares are likely to be a highlight of any visit to Cuba - they are one of the few types of private enterprise allowed (although still heavily regulated), where families can set up a restaurant in their own house selling authentic, Cuban food. The atmosphere this creates, and opportunity to integrate with local Cubans, will no doubt enhance your stay!

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want
to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.

Weather & seasonality

The dry season runs from November through to April (with December to March being the peak holiday months for traditional style tourism). It can be humid between May and October, with heavy rains at times and the possibility of hurricanes. July and August are some of the most popular months to visit Cuba by sun-seekers from Europe and Canada but can be hot (average 28degC) and wet. Cuba has an average of 6 hours sunshine per day with a more or less constant humidity of 62%. Water temperature normally ranges from 24 to 28degC.

Gallery

Reviews & community

This is a brilliant trip, covering the whole of this beautiful island. You get to see a variety of countryside, lovely old colonial towns and beaches, museums and mountains, and find out about the country's eventful history and (many) national heroes.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

It's impossible to pick just one thing. I really enjoyed the trip to Fidel's hideout in the mountains, swimming in the waterfall, the Bay of Pigs museum, visiting Trinidad, Che's mausoleum and museum, a classic car ride in Havana, locals riding bicycles and horse-drawn carts everywhere. Even the bus journeys were interesting, with lovely scenery to look at, frequent stops for photos or to eat, extreme cocktailing, and much needed cooling down time!

What did you think of your group leader?

Alex was brilliant, full of insight and knowledge on the history of Cuba, how it is today, and how events have affected him and his own family which brings it all to life. Great at mixing cuba libres on the bus, although his singing and jokes (apart from the one about the chicken) are somewhat questionable! Our bus driver Osmany was also excellent, manoeuvring the bus through some tiny streets and looking after us all.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Definitely go for it! This is such an interesting and beautiful country, and a great change from the hustle and bustle of western life. Yes, it will change but this seems like it's still quite a way off.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I went in June/July and it was extremely hot, no need for an evening cover-up as the notes say. We only had a couple of big thundery downpours although not sure if that is usual for this time of year.

You need small change (5-10 cents) for tips for the loo a lot of the time.

Water's not always hot (but as the weather is, it doesn't matter) and if the lights go off as you're about to get in the shower, just think 'oh well, it's Cuba' and get on with it! There's not a huge choice in terms of food, but it was all OK and we had some really good meals, including lots of lobster and seafood.

We didn't do the optional trip to Vinales, apparently it's a three hour bus journey away. However I was glad to not do it, as it meant a full day in Havana to do the car ride and look around the museums and attractive Havana Vieja.

Also, the trip notes state you need to save CUC25 for departure tax - when we were checking in upon leaving the airport staff said it was included in the ticket so check with Exodus first.

This was a fantastic trip, well structured, well organised, managed and implemented.
It was non stop enjoyment from start to finish with a variety of activities as included on the itinerary and more besides. The driving was ( as stated) broken up with stops for lunch, swimming and drinking to rehydrate, but that said, the coach was always well equipped with bottled water.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The entire trip was inspirational but some memorable moments include: a visit to the Che Guevara Mausoleum, a boat trip on the River Toa, visiting the historic city of Trinidad, a vintage car ride around Old Havana, swimming in cool rivers and under waterfalls, salsa dancing, visiting Castro's hideout - and all importantly, throughout the tour gaining a contextualised insight and understanding of Cuban history from our excellent guide Alex.

What did you think of your group leader?

Our group leader was excellent - his knowledge, insight and humour made the trip interesting, memorable and fun. Together with the driver they facilitated a great holiday. This was a holiday filled with laughter and enjoyment.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Don't expect everything to work in the hotels - its doesn't, but that is CUBA and makes for a more memorable trip - enjoy the unexpected!
Take as much money as you think you will need and do not rely on ATM's.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The variety on this trip is fantastic. Yes there are long road journeys but the itinerary splits it up as well as possible and with coastal swim options a welcome relief. You get to learn about colonial Spain, the Revolution, USA intervention, current economics and politics, and experience the mountains and geology, the Caribbean and Atlantic coasts, as well as the music and dance that is notably Cuban.
The cocktails are wonderful and the food much better than suggested - lobster on 3 occasions cannot be bad!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The "chill factor" in Baracoa
The atmosphere in the Sierrra Maestra
The music everywhere and in particular the Buena Vista Social Club
Watching artists throughout the Island
Swimming at every opportunity

What did you think of your group leader?

Yazel was Wonderful
Informative
Responsive to our questions
And great fun!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Cuba is still developing tourism and you should regard travel here as an adventure rather than mainstream. Having said that, if you have traveled in S America this is on par or in Africa, accommodation and food are great!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

A really interesting and varied experience.
Well organised and covering a breadth of Cuban life

I think back and now see that I have done it all...from guiding Japanese cultural tourists across South East Asia to a camping holiday sales floor, from managing website, to marketing travel online and offline. What's left? I guess, I got some travelling to do. I am off....

Questions about your trip

Pick your question

Any nightlife tips for Havana?

Havana has a great bar called El Floridita, which was a regular drinking spot for author Ernest Hemingway. I definitely recommend trying a strawberry daiquiri or two!Another excellent bar is the Casa de la Música for a salsa show in Trindad. The live music and local dancing will conjure up images of the Buena Vista Social Club, with its lively and fast-paced jazz, rumba and salsa. Be prepared to dance!

Sophie Ashworth - Marketing

Any Cuban shopping tips?

Souvenirs are available at all major cities and towns in Cuba. They range from wooden handicrafts, local paintings to the classic Cuban Cigar.Havana has a souvenir market on a Thursday afternoon, which is great for local artists showcasing their work, however Trinidad seem to have the better quality souvenirs, especially of the hand carved variety. I would recommend Cienfuegos as the place to buy your cigars!

Dan Cockburn - Product Manager

What is the food like in Cuba?

Food in Cuba consists mostly of rice, fish, meat, beans and plenty of fresh fruit. You can't go to Cuba without trying the famous Mohijo or Cuba Libre, but beware that they don't use measuring glasses so they might be stronger than the ones you have tried at home! Fresh lobster served with salad is also a lovely treat if you visit the island of Cayo Macho. There is also plenty of safe bottled water available throughout Cuba.

Karol Rogacki - Customer Operations

What clothing is best for this part of the Americas?

It can get hot and sweaty here at times, so lightweight cotton (or quick-drying fabrics) is best as a starting point! Long sleeved shirts and trousers will help prevent mosquito bites, especially in the evenings when they could be buzzing around. You should also take a jacket and/or sweater for evenings, as it will cool down. Essential kit includes some sunglasses and a sunhat, along with good sunscreen. A lightweight waterproof jacket or rain poncho is optional, as you can get some tropical rain here now and again!

Karol Rogacki - Americas Operations

Tips from staff who have been to Cuba

MoneyIt's very easy to exchange money in Cuba as long as you have cash. I took sterling cash. You can exchange some money on arrival at the airport (maybe £100) or at the start hotel. Then you can exchange a bit more later on once you are about to run out of pesos. Most hotels (if not all) have exchange facilities and it won't take more than a minute to exchange cash. Some places will also accept credit cards (not debit ones though; credit cards can't be issues by an American bank).

Don't count on ATMs. There are a few in Havana, plus in other big cities but you'll spend some time walking around looking for them. It's best to take Sterling in £10 or £20 notes (not £50). If you have some spare CAD or euro you want to get rid of you can take it too.

Please see below average prices in Cuba - that should help you estimate the amount of money you are likely to spend.

Please remember to take extra money to cover the airport tax (25 CUC), tips and optional trips (prices in the Trip Notes).

Tips for keeping it safe? Just apply the same criteria you would at home, it's more common sense. Cuba isn't a dangerous or threathening place, and crime against tourists (and in general) is very rare. Most hotels have safety deposits and also most hotels have money exchange facilities.

TippingTipping is pretty much like here, for anything small if you like to give something. In better restuarants they'll add it to the bill, like here as well.

Optional activitiesAny of the optional activities are decide locally and booked locally, so no need to do anything in advance.

Electrical equipmentI took a Universal Adaptor, which fits all plug types, and can be bought from Boots or similar for less than a tenner.

As far as I know you can easily take most electrical items into Cuba apart from GPS units. Officially it applies to all GPS' but in fact it more to do with stand-alone units and not the ones that are built in in a phone or a watch. In the worst case they would confiscate such an item on your arrival and give it back to you on your departure (most likely you'd need to pay some fee for storage). I have never come across anyone who specifically has had something removed, but I'm sure something like an iPhone or iPad would be ok.

Gifts for local peopleAnything like pens, crayons, colouring books are always appreciated. They also quite like any toiletries you don't want at the end of a trip, as these are quite hard to come by there, so shower gels, toothpaste, make up etc. Sounds odd, but it was really appreciated, and wasn't something I hadn't heard about before. It wasn't anything threatening, but you could have someone just tap you on the shoulder in the middle of a city tour and ask for shampoo or toothpaste! It was mainly older and young people, and always very friendly. We collected the toiletries from the hotels and at the end of the tour just stood outside and had people swarm around to grab what we had!

LaundryI'm sure it's possible in the hotels where you stay two nights, although people in our group washed their own things. I think laundry can be expensive.

SnacksI would advise maybe taking some snacks like chocolate and biscuits from home, if you like those, as they can be limited in places.

Cubans are pretty eager to speak to tourists. If your Spanish is not too bad I'm sure you can have some nice conversations with them however if you only speak basic Spanish Cubans who speak English would probably want to switch to English. English in Cuba is spoken relatively widely.

Rachael Stone - Customer Services

Cuba articles

Lucy Davies, our Base Manager in Cuba, has written an article where she takes you through a brief history of Cuba, old and new!

Also, staff member Sophie Ashworth travelled to Cuba recently and you can read her article here to get a personal viewpoint of the country.

What do I do about money when I arrive in Havana?

Cuba unfortunately has very few ATM machines, making it slightly more difficult to manage your money supply while in Cuba. Cuba has dual currency system: Cuban Peso (CUP; it's unlikely you will ever need it) and Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC; the one tourists always use). It's best to take all spending money in Sterling cash (Euro or Canadian dollars will also be fine), which can be easily exchanged upon arrival in Cuba. Travellers cheques are accepted at major banks but incur a 5% commission, and some smaller outlets cannot accept them. Also, along with credit cards, they must have no association with an American bank i.e. Virgin Credit Card or American Express travellers cheques, as they will not be accepted anywhere in Cuba.

Sophie Ashworth - Marketing

Exodus staff - expertise on hand to help

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!

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